Direction-indicator for motor-vehicles.



L. M. BOWMAN.

DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22.1915.

1,1 83,722. Patented May 16, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

3 1M Baa/mm.

L. M. BOWMAN.

omzcnow INDICATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES,

APPUCATION FILED JUNE 22. l9l5.

Patented May 16, 1916.

2 SHEETSASHEET 2.

55 MF? -4. .57 E 7 ,4. 3 76? LEVI M. BOWMAN. OF TULSA. OKLAHOMA.

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO W. A. SMITH.

OF BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA.

DIRECTION-INDICATOR FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES. 4

Application filed June 22.

To all whom it may conccrn:

Be it known that I. LEVI M. llowwax, a citizen of the l uited tates. residing at Tulsa. in the county of 'lu'sa and State of Oklahoma. have invented (ertain new and useful Improvements in Direetionlndi cators for Motor-Vehicles: and I do hereby deelare the following to be a full. clear and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates tc new and useful improwments in direction indicators for motor vehicles and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device capable of being readily attached to the radiator cap and adapted to be electrically operated to sizing from one side to the other of the vehicle to indicate "the direction taken in malt'ing a turn.

Anotherobject f the in ention is to provide a device which may becasily and quickly put in place or reinoved from the radiator cap and which is electricilly operated to insure positive a tion.

.\nother object of the invention is to provide a device capable of being easily and uickly manipulated l'ron. .useat of the driver without the necessity of his removing his hands .t'nr any gr at distance from the controlling wheel.

further object of the invention is to provide a device which will give an audible as well as a visible signal so that attention will be attracted to the visible signal and insure person or othei"vehicles of receiving the warning.

Still another object. of the invention is to provide a-means for preventing the signal arm from swinging laterally accidentally and thus giving a fal 0 signal.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel mounting for the return spring used to swing the arm to its normal position.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts which will be fully set forth in the fi-illowing specification and accompanying drawings. in which Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a motor vehicle showing this improved signal att ched thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device showing the inte rior mechanism n elevation. Fig. 3 is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

1915. Serial No. 35.521.

sectional view on line 325 of Fig. 2. Fig. is a horizontal sectional view on line A f Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the gate operating ma net showing a fragment of the casing. Pig. 6 is a detail view of the spring mounting. Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the switch controlling'tlie device, and Fig. h is the wiring diagram of the circuit.

lleferring now to the drawings by characters of reference. the numeral 1 designates as an entirety the casing of the indicator having the front and rear chambers 2 and 1 respectively. The rear chamber 2; is formed by the oll'set portion l of the rear wall of the casing designated by the nulueral 5 and this rear wall is provided with the flanges (i to which the cover 7 is secured. 'lhis cover 7 is provided with the longitudinal slot h through which the arm carrying the iidicat r arm is mounted.

Secured within the casing 1 is the frame designated generally by the numeral 9 comprising a strip of metal 10 bent in the form shown and provided with the forward extensions 11 on the upper and lower horizontal bars of the frame. 'lhese extensions H are apertured to provide journal bearings for the shaft 12 on wh" the supporting arm 13 is mounted. 'lhi. supporting arm is mounted in such position'that it. projects through the slot 5 and is provided at its outer end with suitable attaching means for the indicator arin ll provided at its outer end with the hand 15. Secured to the shaftlQ near its upper end is a pinion 16 which meshes with the spur gear 17 mounted on the operating shaft lb which is journaled in the upper and lower bars of the frame. suitable armature 19 is secured to the shaft 18 and is designed to be attracted by the magnet. which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The armature I! previously referred to is formed of a plurality of soft iron strips 20 provided at one edge with the collar or sleeve .21 which surrounds the. operatingshuft l and provides a means for connecting the armature to the shaft.

Mounted in the vertical side bars of the frame ar the magnets 22 and 23. which are respectively to the right and left as shown suitable magnet 24 is mounted near the lower left hand corner of the frame, while the magnet .25 is mounted in a corresponding position on the opposite side of the frame. The magnets 22 and'23 when energized are designed to attract the armature 19 so as to cause the gear wheel 17 to revolve and thereby rotate the pinion 16, thus driving the shaft 12 and causing the arm 13 to swing in a horizontal plane.

The magnets 24 and 25 above referred to when energized. attract the locking members 26 and 27 respectively, which are pivoted as at to the support 29 carried by the frame. Suitable springs 30 surround the pivot pins 28 ot' the armatares 26 and 27 and are arranged to normally hold the armaturcs upwardly in the position illustrated in Fig. 5. Formed integral with and extending upwardly from the armatures are the flanges 31 provided at their adjacent ends with the enlargements 32, which are notched as at 33 to form recesses in which the arm 13 lies. A suitable stop 34 is provided to limit the upward movement of the armature 27 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. It will be seen that the structure of armatures 26 w and 27 when attracted by either of the magnets 24 or 25 will move downwardly, thereby permitting the arm 13 to swing in tlie slot without engaging the walls of the recesses 33.

In order to give an audible signal and attract attention to the indicating arm 14, there are provided a pair of bell magnets 35, which are arranged in such a way that when excited they will cause the arm 36 carrying the clapper 37 to vibrate and strike the bell 38 which is supported on a suitable support 39 projecting below the casing. The magnet and arm 36 operate in a manner similar to an ordinary bell structure and as this is a well known construction and has no bearing on the present invention further discussion of the structure in this application is unnecessary.

In order to provide a, means for supporting the device on the radiator cap, there is provided the bracket designated generally by the numeral 40 comprising the clamping loop 41 having the divergent arms 42 formed thereon. These arms are provided with the ofi'set portion 43, which extends parallel with the sides of the chamber 3 as clearly shown in Fig. 4. A suitable clamping bolt 44 extends between the divergent arms 42 and is designed to draw the ends of the loop 41 together so that the same will firmly grip the radiator cap and support the whole in place.

The switch used in connection with the signal hereinbefore described is best illus' trated in Fig. 4 and comprises the base 45 of rubber or a similar insulating material, on which the contacts 46 and 47 are mounted. Secured to the base 45 is the contact 48 on which the. switch lever 49 is pivoted. A suitable pair of contacts 50 are also connected to the base and are arranged to be engaged by the lever and these contacts complete the circuit through the bell when the lever is thrown to either of its indicating positions. Connected to the contact 47 is a suitable wire 51, leading to the binding post 52, which is in electrical connection with the magnets 22 and 24. The opposite terminals of these magnets are grounded to the casing 1 and leading from the casing 1 is the ground wire 53, which is grounded as at 54 and leading from the battery is the ground wire 56, which is grounded as at 57. The opposite terminal of the battery is connected by means of the wire 58 to the contact 48 and it will thus be seen that when the switch lever 49 thrown, so as to engage the contact 47, the current will flow from the battery through the wire 58 into the switch contact 48 into the switch lever 49 and thence into the contact 47 from whence it passes through the wire 51 into the binding post 52 and thence through the magnets 22 and 24 into the casing and returns by means of the ground wires 53, grounds 54 and 57 and the wire 56 back to the battery. The engagement of either of the contacts 50 will cause the current to flow through the wire 59 into the binding post 60 from whence it passes into the wire 61 to the terminal 62 of the bell magnet. The opposite terminal (33 of the bell magnet is connected to the ground wire 64, which is connected to a wire which in turn is grounded as at 54. It will thus be seen that when the contact arm 49 engages either of the contacts 50, the bell will begin to ring. Connected to the contact 46 and leading to the binding post 65 is the wire 66 and leading from the binding post 65 is a suitable connecting wire, the opposite terminal of which is connected to one terminal of the magnet The opposite terminal cf the magnet is connected by means of the wire 67, to one terminal of the magnet 25, the opposite terminal of which is connected by means of the wire 68 to the wire 64, thus completing the circuitfrom the contact 46 to the ground 54. Connecting the magnet with the magnet 24 is a suitable wire 69 and the opposite terminal of the magnet 24 is connected by means of the wire 53, to the ground 54 hereinbefore described.

In operation, it will be seen that upon throwing the lever 49 into position to contact with the contact point 47, the contact point 50 on that side of the switch Will also e in circuit and the current will flow from the battery 55 into the wire 58 and through the lever 49 into the contact 47, from whence it will pass through the wire 51 into the binding post 52 and thence to the magnet 22 from whence the current will pass through the wire 69 into the magnet 2-1 and through the wire 53 to the ground 54, from which .nwwwmwumsmdm...

'described including ground it passes into the ground 57, through the wire 56 and back to the battery 55. It will thus be seen that the magnets '24 and 22 will beenergized simultaneously andthe locking members 26 will be moved to allow the arm 13 to swing. It will be evident that the locking member will be opened first because of the lightness of its construction, while the weight of the armature 1!) will retard the movement of the arm 13 for the reason that the weight is greater and the inertia thereof will retard the movement. It will be evident also that the current will fiow from the arm 49 into the contact 50, thence through the wire 59 into the binding post lit), from whence the current will pass into the wire 61 to the terminal (32 of the bell magnet, thence through the bell magnet into the terminal 63, wire (34 and back to the battery 55, through the ground 54 and 57 and the wire 56. In this way t will be seen that the visi ble as well as the audible signal will be given simultaneously upon the movement of the switch. I'pon throwing the switch in the opposite position. it will be seen that the magnets 23 and '25 will be energized simultaneously with the ringing of the bell and thus the indicator arm will be swung in the opposite position.

In order to return the arm to its normal for ard position, there is provided the spring best illustrated in Fig. t'. which is designated by the numeral (31). This spring comprises the arms 70. the ends of which are bent inwardly to engage either side of the auxiliary arm 71 which is secured to the shaft 12. This spring is secured to a suitable bracket 72 provided with an car 73. which limits the inward movement of the arms with relation to each other.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a particularly simple and efficient direction indicator is provided which will SlllllltillltOIlSl). audibly and visibly signal pedestrians, tratiic otticers and vehicles of the intentions of the .driver, thereby insuring the correct understanding of signals and avoiding confusion and accident.

\Vhile in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that such changes may be made in the c m bination and arrangement of parts as will fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. A direction indicator of the character a frame, an arm pivoted in the frame, an armature operatively connected with the arm, magnets secured to the frame for cooperation with the a rmature, locking members pivoted in the forward end of the frame, and electrical means in operative position with relation to the locking members to release the same and permit the arm to swing upon energization of the magnets.

2. A direction indicator of the character described including a controlling means, a frame, an arm pivoted in the frame, means to swing the arm laterally, locking members pivotally mounted to said frame, said arm projecting between the adjacent ends of said locking members and held against accidental lateral movement, and electrical means in circuit with the arm swinging means to ope ate the locking members upon operating of the controlling means.

3. direction indicator comprising a casing, said casing provided with an offset portion to provide a rear and front chamber. a cover secured to said casing and provided with a slot therein, a frame mounted in said casing, an extension forlned on said frame, a shaft journaled in said extension and the frame, an operating arm secured to said shaft and extending through the slot of the casing. an indicating arm secured to the said operating arm, a spur gear secured to said shaft, an operating shaft journaled in said frame. a gear mounted on the operating shaft and meshing with said spur gear, electrical means mounted in said casing for rotating the operating shaft to move the indicating arm as desired. means for locking the operating arm against accidental movement, and means for releasing the operating arm simultaneously with the operation of the electrical means for moving the operating arm.

4. direction indicator comprising a casing. a cover secured to said casing and provided with a longitudinal slot therein. a frame secured within said casing. a vertical shaft journaled in said frame and provided with a spur gear adjacent the upper end thereof. an auxiliary arm secured to said shaft. an operating arm secured to said shaft and extended through the slot in said cover. an indicating arm secured to said operating arni. an operating shaft journaled in said frame and spaced from said vertical shaft. a gear mounted on the upper end of said operating shaft and adapted to mesh with said spur gear. two pairs of magnets mounted in said casing and positioned upon each side of the operating shaft. an armature plate secured to the operating shaft and adapted to be attracted by said magnets, means for energizing the pairs of magnets alternatingly, a pair of spring arms secured to said frame and provided with their ends bent inwardly to engage cither side of said auxiliary arm to hold said operating arm in its normal position and means for locking the indicating arm against accidental movement.

5. A direction indicator comprising a easing. a cover secured to said casing and provided with a longitudinally extended slot therein, a frame mounted in said casing, a vertical shaft, journaled in said frame, an auxiliary arm secured to said shaft, an operating shaft journaled in said frame and spaced from said vertical shaft, an operating arm secured to said vertical shaft and extending through the slot in said cover, means for ronnertim: the vertial shaft with the operating shaft to men said vertical shaft aeeording to the movement of the operating shaft, means mounted in said easing for rotating the operating shaft in opposite directions as desired. a pair of spring arms secured to said frame and provided with their ends bent inw ardly to engage the sides of the auxiliary n1l.1 means for limiting the inward mo em nt of said spring arms. and means for locking the operating arm against accidental movement. and means for automatically unlorhing the operating arm when the operating shaft is rotated,

6. A direction indicator comprising :1 casing, a (rover secured to said casing and provided with a longitudinal slot therein, a frame secured within said casing a vertical shaft journaled in said frame, an auxiliary arm secured to said shaft, an operating shaft journaled in said frame and spaced from said vertical shaft, means for connecting said shafts together, electri al means mounted in said casing for rotating the operatingv Shaft in either direction, an operatiin arm secured to the \crtiral shaft and extending through the, slot of said cover. a bra ket vcured. to'said fram a pair of relatively spaced spring arms secured to said bracket, t 6 ends of said arms bent inwardly to en gage ea-i'h side of the auxiliary arm. an ear formed on said bracket to limit the rearward movement of said spring arms, and n :ans for holding the operating arm against acdental movement.

7, A direction indicator comprising a cas- '.i.n acover seeured to said casing and pro- V1 ed with a longtiudmai slot therein, :1

frame secured within said casing, a pair of vertical shafts journaled in said frame, means for connecting said shafts together, an operating arm secured to one of said vertical shafts and extending through the longitudinal slot of said (over, means for rotating the vertical shafts in either direetion. means for returning the operating arm to its normal position, a support secured to said fraine locking memhers pivoted t d support and adapted to engage the operating aim to hold it against arridental movement, and means for releasing the locking, members from an rngagenu-nt with the operating arm when the shafts are rotated H. A directi n indicator comprising a rasing, a corer secured to said casing and pro rided with a longitudinal slot therein. a frame mounted in said casing. a vertical shaft journaled in said frame, an operating shaft iournaled in the frame and spared from said shaft, means for connecting said -hafts t gether, means for rotating the shafts in either direction. an operating arm secured to the vertical shaft and extendii'ig through the slot in said rover. means carried hy the frame for returning the operat ing arm to its normal position, a support secured to said frame, locking men'ilwrs hing d to said support. flanges formc il on said loathing members and extrnding up wardly therefrom, said flanges prmidml with their adjacent ends recessed to receive the operating arm electrical means mounted in said casing for moving the locking arms awa from an engagmrnt with said operat; ng arm, and means for normally holding said locking members into engagement with the operating arm.

In testimony whereof I alliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEV I M. BOWMAN. Witnesses \V. (I. DAvis, 

